The controversy revolving around the Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ (FWICE) non-cooperation directive against actor Ranveer Singh over his sudden exit from director Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 has now taken a legal turn.
Veteran film producer TP Aggarwal, former president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), has challenged FWICE’s move by filing a petition before the Bombay Civil Court in Dindoshi.
According to a Times of India report, his plea has been filed against FWICE and IMPPA, arguing that no person, organisation or trade body has the legal authority to impose a ban or instruct others not to work with an individual. The court has issued notices to both organisations.
TP Aggarwal, who served as IMPPA president for 17 years and also headed the Film Federation of India four times, said such actions can have serious consequences for people’s work and creative rights.
He pointed out that attempts to discourage people from collaborating with someone should not be treated casually. “Such actions can have far-reaching consequences for livelihoods and creative freedom,” he said, adding that matters of this nature must be handled legally.
After FWICE’s directive triggered a major debate, the federation’s chief advisor, Ashoke Pandit, clarified that it was not a ban. Speaking to ETimes, he said, “The entire conversation has become wrong. It’s not a ban. We are not a court; we can’t ban people. Hence, we have issued a non-cooperation.”
Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh has received support from the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association. CINTAA vice-president and veteran actor Padmini Kolhapure said the association stands by the actor.
Speaking to IANS, she said, “CINTAA is proud to have Ranveer Singh as our member. We stand by him and for him whenever he needs us. This is already out in the public domain, so I do not want to comment more about it. We are here for him, with him. If he ever needs us, we are for Ranveer Singh.”
Her statement came after CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon expressed disappointment that neither side had approached the association over the issue.
She said, “CINTAA, as an association, would have liked to have been at least approached by both parties or either of the parties if there was a problem. But since we were not approached either by the artists or by the production or by the Federation, we are a bit at a loss for what to say because we don’t have the detailed information.”
Why did FWICE take action against Ranveer Singh?
FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh on May 25, after the actor allegedly failed to respond to repeated invitations to appear in person and discuss the Don 3 controversy.
Ashoke Pandit had earlier told the media in Mumbai, “On April 11, Farhan filed a complaint that three weeks before the unit was to leave for the shoot, Ranveer left the movie.”
Following that, Excel Entertainment, which is backing Don 3, has reportedly demanded Rs 45 crore in damages from Ranveer over pre-production expenses. For the unaware, Ranveer exited Don 3 in December 2025, almost two years after he was announced as the lead of the Farhan Akhtar directorial.
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